MUSC ABSN Spring 2015

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Hi everyone!!!

I wanted to go ahead and make a thread for MUSC's Spring 2015 hopefuls. I know it is a little bit early to start this thread, but I am just so excited. I am looking forward to everyone stats and encouragement for each other. Looking forward to the results!!!

I would go ahead and contact Mardi Long.

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that was really long. sorry! haha

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Mardi said no on scholarships for me for spring too but oh well, Im not going to stress it anymore. Polly that was great and really helpful. Thank you. I am ready to do whatever I have to do.

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Yes, I do have a roommate. We both pay about 550 in rent and utilities/cable/internet/water end up costing another 150 monthly depending on what time of year it is (I'm in Mt. P). I have gotten a few small scholarships here and there, but nothing to really bank on. I also don't spend a whole lot of time applying for them like I should, but a lot of them I dont qualify for on the basis that I am a white female, middle class (according to them >:( ) and not religious. They have tons of scholarships for men in nursing, diverse populations, and low-income persons, as well as a big "Christian nurse" scholarship that a bunch of people just got this semester. Different scholarships will pop up every semester, and our dean usually emails everyone about them. Lots will be available for the fall semester.

You're right that the max federal loans are 12,500 per year (split between two semesters). The additional money you need will have to be covered with a private loan. The two loans (federal and private) combined cannot exceed MUSC's estimated cost of living for 1 year (35000). A few weeks before loans are disbursed the CON will usually award people "Nursing Loans" that have been (for me) between 4 and 2 thousand a semester. This just depends on what they happen to have that semester and who has more "need" according to their standards.

One thing everyone needs to do if you will be giving up full time (or part time!) employment is a "Change in Circumstances" form from the financial aid office. This is simply a form that states that your W-2 and tax information from the following year will not reflect your contribution during the school year because you will no longer be working. I had a pretty good job before I started school, and before I filled out that form I didn't qualify for diddly squat. Ask about the form.

Re employment: I babysit and have little jobs occasionally, but I don't have a consistent job. I want one though, and I've been on the lookout for good ones that work with my schedule. After you get the hang of everything it's possible to have a job for 1 or 2 days a week comfortably. There are a couple people who still work as techs full time in the hospital, but I have no idea what their academic status is like so I can't speak to that and whether I would recommend it. I know that for me, school is not stressful and I could do a job not to exceed 24 hours a week. For others, school makes them crazy and neurotic. Depends on which kind of personality you are I guess! I would recommend waiting to see how you will fair during first semester and make a judgement for yourself as to whether working is going to be a benefit to you. Ultimately, I decided that I would rather have the opportunity to focus entirely on school so that I don't accidentally kill someone because I'm tired or later on because I didn't pay attention in school. But now I'm ready to do school and a job :). Also, if you already have a tech job, try to keep it, even if you don't work but one day a week. There are often "internal new grad" applicants that you will be able to apply for, and this will make your life easier come graduation. It's VERY competitive to get a new grad job at MUSC. Keep that in mind.

Re the cost: It is stressful to take out so much money for school. My cousin is a nurse, and she helped me decide to go to MUSC and pay the money, because this is an investment in you and your career. MUSC is well-known everywhere...they know who we are in Cali where she works! Your value as a new grad and throughout your career will reflect in the top notch education you will get. Around here, Roper and MUSC don't even really hire nurses who aren't BSN prepared. If you get your RN and somehow find a job in a hospital, it's likely you will be sent back to school to get your BSN, which will cost you a bunch of money anyway (and time!). BSN nurses are preferred for specialty jobs, management jobs, and any job that pays well really. I also know that the air force doesn't take nurses that don't have bachelor degrees. Not sure about other branches, but if you want to go on to be a flight nurse or a nurse in the military, you better have a BSN! You will get a job, you will always have a job, and you will pay off your debt :)

One other thing I will share with this forum: Parking! Parking. The sooner you can get an ID and get some parking, the better. You've been warned.

You'll all be fine. The CON is always there and makes sure everyone gets going!

Awesome post. Thank you for your insight! I will definately be filling out a change in circumstances form!!!

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Mardi said no on scholarships for me for spring too but oh well, Im not going to stress it anymore. Polly that was great and really helpful. Thank you. I am ready to do whatever I have to do.

wow, i don't even want to ask anymore!! lol. such a shame that it's so hard to get MUSC scholarships.

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The scholarships are dispersed to all CON students and they start with students who have an EFC of 0. She said even if you get a scholarship it wouldn't be enough to cover expenses and tuition and to plan to take out the the full amount you will need

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The scholarships are dispersed to all CON students and they start with students who have an EFC of 0. She said even if you get a scholarship it wouldn't be enough to cover expenses and tuition and to plan to take out the the full amount you will need

Oh yeah I know their scholarships wont cover everything, but every little bit helps!

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Specializes in BLS/ACLS/PALS/PEARS/NRP Instructor.

Hey Guys, EVERYONE needs to RELAX! The money is out there, you just have to look in the right places. Things will be a little clearer once you go through your mini-orientation next Friday. The only people who had issues finding money in my class were the students who had Masters degrees; most of them ended up doing private loans. Scholarships at MUSC are done a little different than what your use to. Let's say MUSC receives $15,000/year in donations for scholarships. This money could equate in to 20 different scholarships (you can see a comprehensive list on the MUSC website). This money is then given to a CON Scholarship Committee who evaluates the majority of these scholarships based on need vice specific criteria (grades, ect.). With that said, once you start school Mardi will send you emails announcing various scholarships (non-need based) that you might be eligible for. Speaking of Ms. Long, I had an hour-long conversation with her today about things we can do better for "1st semester students". You guys should see a big improvement in a few areas. I also asked her about the MUSC "$15,000" Medical Center Scholarship, I just won. Well, great news! This will be offered to your cohort as well. To be eligible you have to be an employee of MUSC. I also STRONGLY advise that you get highly involved with your class (SNA/SGA Rep). The scholarship is based on your body of work (resume), grades, what you've done for your class, and an interview. It pays $5000 during your 2nd, 3rd, and 4th semesters.

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I had to defer to August due to financial aid :( Mardi assured me I would not receive any financial aid it sucks but it gives me time to plan a little better. Good luck to everyone starting in Spring!

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I had to defer to August due to financial aid :( Mardi assured me I would not receive any financial aid it sucks but it gives me time to plan a little better. Good luck to everyone starting in Spring!

Best of luck to you! I hope you get the financial aid you need! Have any alternates on here heard anything? I wonder when they will reach out for the spots open from people who defer.

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Best of luck to you! I hope you get the financial aid you need! Have any alternates on here heard anything? I wonder when they will reach out for the spots open from people who defer.

Haven't heard anything yet but hopefully I will soon!!!

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I haven't heard anything either!

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